Last night, I made beer bread.
Not from scratch, I'll admit (thank you, Trader Joe's), but it still filled the kitchen with warm yeasty smells. I had some gouda cheese that I shredded and added, and a big spoonful of Penzey's flavorful Sunny Paris seasoning. When you doctor it up a bit, you get more credit for effort; maybe it's not a fib to say "Yes, it's homemade." The recipe calls for pouring half a stick of melted butter on top, and that goodness seeps in and adds to the fabulous smells and bubbly brown edges.
I had to have a piece last night, barely waiting the recommended 15 minutes, biting into the buttery crispy crust to the dense and piping hot center and giving myself two thumbs up for not over-baking. A perfect treat while I climbed into bed early to skim through a stack of 20 picture books for a project. And yes, I went to down to slice a second serving (I had 20 books to read, after all!).
This morning, I was at it again, slicing a big piece and taking a bite before I even put it on the plate. Not quite as good as last night, but still both yeasty and crispy, and the savory seasoning was even richer today. I think I'll toast it up for dinner tonight, if I don't snack on it all day long. In fact, is it time for another sliver of a slice now...
As I read your story, I felt like Homer Simpson with his tongue hanging out, salivating over something delicious. I love beer bread and it's been forever, so now I have to make some. And I want to try and find Sunny Paris Seasoning. Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteSounds (and smells) delicious just from reading which suggests a very effective use of sensory detail.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds amazing. I did see this at TJs, but did not buy it because I really do not need to eat a whole loaf by myself and I would!
ReplyDeleteYou brought me back to my childhood. Coming down the stairs to that smell, that yeasty yumminess warm from the oven. Thank you for this. I may be making a trip to the store tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteAs I used to say as a Pampered Chef consultant...if you made it at home...it is homemade! HA!
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